Method of manufacturing pen points



P 1951 T. w. LEPKOWSKI 2,567,608

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING PEN POINTS Filed May 10, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 32 9 M 9 k V M YINVENTOR. THOMAS 1 1 & ffi/(OWJ/(l 14 T TOR/V5 X Sept. 11, 1951 1-. w. LEPKOWSKI 2,567,608

METHOD OF MANUFACTURING PEN POINTS Filed May 10, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1N VENTOR. 72/0/1445 W A p/(o WS/(l BY W Patented Sept. 11, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF MANUFACTURING PEN POINTS Thomas W. Lepkowski, New York, N. Y. Application May 10, 1949, Serial No. 92,322

5 Claims. 1

The invention relates to fountain pens of the flexible nib type and more especially to a novel construction of the point and the control of the character of writing therewith.

More specifically, the invention has for an object to provide a novel process of constructing the same.

Another object of the invention is to associate with the novel point means whereby the writing portions of the nib divisions of said point may be variably spread to afford line writing of different widths, and to effect such adjustment manually in a simple manner.

Still another object of the invention is to provide the pen with indicating means for setting the nibs to a selected width of line writing.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the nibs may be set and be maintained positively in a selected one of a plurality of predetermined separations.

In carrying out the invention, the pen point is to be prepared from the customary flexible metal blank by temporarily maintaining the same flexed, at a relatively short radius, transversely of its longitudinal axis and while in this flexed state welding to the point a small-diameter metal writing ball, whereupon this is slit through and the cut continued inwardly beyond the widest portion of the nib.

The nib divisions thus provided are then released and will assume a set curvature, which is increased temporarily for convenience in finishing the juxtaposed faces as by grinding and bufiing the same. The nib divisions are then pressed together to the desired degree representing the maximum separation and in which condition the separated ball portion faces are inclined to each other at the top of the pen, the opening being substantially in the form of an inverted V.

Provision is made to bring the nib divisions toward each other in predetermined stages by locating coaxially with the ink feed plug of the pen and over its point a hood tapering at its outer end and axially adjustable in providing a screw fit of the same on the plug. In accordance with this displacement of the hood axially, the nib divisions will be flexed more or less, as well as forced together, to vary correspondingly the inclination and extent of separation of the faces with respect to each other and thereby the width of the opening presented for ink to pass in writing with the point. I

The hood may be provided with a sleeve ele-, ment rotatable therewith and reciprocable axially thereon whereby in cooperation with the plug portion of the fountain pen indications may be afforded as to the particular adjustment of line writing width in setting the nib divisions of the point. Suitable stops are provided to limit the degree of angular movement of the hood through its sleeve and also intermediate stops for securing predetermined adjustments.

To provide the increased volume of ink supply required when the wider range of writing is effected, the customary filling system is modified to enable a larger capacity sack to be accommodated within the barrel of the pen than ordinarily, said sack being retained at the inner end of the plug in the customary manner to depend therefrom toward the bottom of the barrel. There is then included between the barrel and the sack a U-shape member with sides embracing in part diametrically opposite lengths of the sack, the said member being fixed at its inner end to the pen plug and looped over the outer end of said sack, one of the embracing sides en gaging with the inwardly directed element. When this latter side, after first unscrewing the barrel, is then manually depressed, substantially the entire length of said depressed side of the U-shape member will be forced toward its companion side flattening out the sack along its sides to expel the air therefrom, whereupon on release of the pressure ink will be drawn into the sack. This eliminatesthe provision of the customary leverage system in addition to providing for application of the pressure substantially along the entire length of the sack; and the ink capacity may be more than doubled.

The nature of the invention, however, will best be understood when described in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein the various parts are shown on an enlarged scale and in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of blank from which the novel pen point is constructed.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the blank suitably flexed and with point material welded thereto.

Fig. 3 is a similar end view after the point has been slitted to provide the nib divisions.

Fig. 4 is a similar end view showing the nib divisions as temporarily spread by substantially increasing the radius of curvature thereof.

Fig. 5 is an end view of the completed pen point with nib divisions'set more closely together and representing the maximum separation or width of line writing, while Fig. 6 shows the degree of separation for a line of intermediate width, and Fig. 7 similarly the positions for minimum width of line writing, the broken line position in the last figure indicating the maximum curvature of the nibs and the arrows the direction in which pressure has been exerted thereon to secure the minimum condition.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the completed pen point.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the pen point as embodied in a fountain pen provided with means for adjustment of the nib divisions to secure diiferent line width writing as selected.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary part longitudinal section and part elevation, on a greatly enlarged scale, of the writing end of the pen; and Fig. 11 is a similar view taken in a plane 90 from that of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a front elevation of the pen.

Fig. 13 is a transverse section taken on the line |3-|3, Fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is an explodedview in elevation illustrating the sleeve assembly and attachment to the adjustment hood.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary elevation of the pen plug with attached sack and the novel means for expelling air from the latter, the pen barrel being shown in broken lines; and Fig. 16 is a plan view thereof with barrel removed.

Fig. 1'7 is a part longitudinal section and part elevation of the pen plug and said novel means for expelling air.

Figs. 18 and 19 are transverse sections taken respectively on the lines |8|8 and |9|9, Fig. 15 of the drawings; and Fig. 20 is a transverse section taken on the line 2025, Fig. 17 of the drawings, and shows the sack in the collapsed condition as effected by the novel arrangement.

Referring to the drawings, more particularly Figs. l- '7 thereof, 29 designates a pen point blank designed to be formed for use in a fountain pen,

as hereinafter set forth, to afford writing of selectable width of line. In accordance with the invention, the blank 28 is flexed at a relatively short radius to cause the nib portion thereof to assume an arcuate shape transversely of the longitudinal axis of the blank, substantially as indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. While the blank is maintained in this arcuate condition, there is welded to the point end 2| thereof a small-diameter writing ball 22. Through the point end 2| and the nib portion there is then out inwardly of the nib a narrow slit 23 which extends beyond the widest portion of the nib and divides it into the customary nib divisions 24 and 25 and the ball 22 into the separated writing portions 22' and 22". The radius of curvature of the arcuate portion is then increased as is indicated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, whereupon the separated ball portions 22' and 22" have their inner faces inclined to each other, said faces to be then ground and buffed to provide the writing point of the pen. However, before the writing point is suitable for use, the portions 22' and 22", still inclined to each other, are pressed closer together, as indicated in Fig. 5, so that the separation at the top of the nib will be fixed of a width required for the desired maximum line width of writing. The nib divisions then present a substantially inverted V slit for writing; and, in accordance with the invention, provision is made to so mount the pen point in a fountain pen that the width of the slit between the separated nib divisions may be substantially contracted, for example, to an intermediate width, as is indicated in Fig. 6 of the drawings, or the minimum width, Fig. 7.

To effect this adjustability of the slit width for varying types of line writing, the pen point 33 is to be mounted in the customary manner upon the feed plug 3| of a fountain pen including the barrel 32 which is removably secured to the said plug through a threaded engagement with the inner end thereof and encloses a sack (not shown) for retaining writing fluid fed in any well-known manner to the point 39. There is provided about the sides of the respective nib divisions 33 and 34 a pair of oppositely disposed fiexible fingers 35 and 36 extending outwardly from a sleeve frictionally supported on the plug 3| for axial adjustment thereon, the fingers being adapted for engagement with the corresponding nib divisions substantially at the widest portions thereof to vary the curvature of said divisions.

Over the pen point 3|) as well as the fingers 35 and 36 is fitted a hood member 3'! tapered at its forward end for contact between the inner face of the same and the respective fingers 35 and 35. The hood member is adapted for axial adjustment through rotation on the plug, being coaxially mounted with respect to this plug as well as to the pen point 30, the rotation being secured through threaded engagement between the inner end of the hood with the plug. By thus retracting or advancing the hood, depending on the direction of rotation of the same, more or less pressure will be exerted on the tips of fingers 35 and 3B, the same in turn being transmitted to the nib divisions to alter the curvature thereof and thus the spacing or Width of slit between the writing points 38 and 33, as well as the inclination of the faces of the slit to each other. This action results from the fact that the transmitted pressure is applied to the nib divisions at the widest portion and in advance of the inner end of the slit 23 which thus affords a fulcrum 23 thereat. When pressure is released, the finger tips spread apart due to their natural flexibility and the nib divisions follow. By this expedient a more adequate supply of writing fluid is provided at the points under all conditions.

Moreover, by initially varying the position of the fingers 35 and '56 axially through manual adjustment of their sleeve along the plug, a different range of line width writing is possible. If moved outwardly, for example, the adjustability will begin with a finer line; and if the sleeve be moved inwardly, it will start with a broader line.

Provision is made to afford an indication of the particular width of line writing, as effected by the separation of the nib divisions, for example, in providing indicia 48 on the hood member or rather a sleeve 4| carried by the same but reciprocable axially thereof. The indicia 48 then are designed to register with a mark or indicating line 42 on a collar 43 fixed to the plug. The sleeve 4| which rotates with the hood 3! is designed for a slight reciprocatory movement between the collar 43 and the inner end of the hood which has a reduced-inner-diameter end fit over which the juxtaposed end of the sleeve fits. The said hood is further reduced in diameter at its inner end as at 45 to afford a seat or shoulder 45 for a coil spring 57 mounted within the sleeve 6| and having its inner end seated against a circular seat it extending inwardly from the said sleeve. This will tend to force the sleeve axially toward a shoulder provided on the collar 33, the sleeve being fixed for rotation with the hood through a projection 5| directed inwardly from its inner wall and engageable in a longitudinal groove 52 of the reduced portion 44 of the hood. The sleeve and hood are thus rotatable as a unit; but the former being yieldingly urged toward the shoulder 50, it is possible to restrict the degree of rotation of the hood.

For evample, the sleeve to this end may be provided with a further inwardly directed projection 53 designed to engage end stops 54 and 55 of collar 43 angularly displaced from each other in accordance with the desired rotation of the hood. The projection 53, furthermore, may serve to secure predetermined separations of the nibs by accurately holding the hood in a selected rotated position, for example, through the dropping under the influence of spring 4'! of the projection 53 into a selected notch of a plurality of notches 56 provided in the edge of collar 43. The strength of this spring is such that the hood may be manually rotated to cause the spring to yield and release the projection 53 from an engaged notch.

Due to the fact that the pen is provided with a point which admits of a line of considerable width being written therewith, it will be appreciated that the supply of writing fluid will more quickly become exhausted than in the case of the customary fountain pens with substantially fixed width of line writing. It is therefore desirable to increase the capacity of the writing fiuid sack of the fountain pen without, however, increasing the size of the barrel of the pen. Reference being had to Figs. 15-20, inclusive, there is provided to this end instead of the customary bar depressor for the sack 60 of the pen, a novel compressing arrangement by which the capacity is at least doubled over that of the customary type of filling arrangement. The sack 60, which is secured over the inner end of the plug 6|, has fitted thereover to this end a more or less U-shape member having the sleeve portion 62 at one end fitting over the inner end of the plug and said member including the sides 63 and 64 of resilient material looped over the outer end of the sack 60, the looping portion being of reduced width and tapering outwardly, as is indicated at 65.

The side members are of generally cylindrical shape conforming substantially to the sack 60 but to embrace the same in part only to admit of compression of the sack therebetween, more especially along the opposite edge portions thereof. Thus but a minimum volume of the barrel space is required, allowing of greatly increasing the sack volume. One of the sides, for example, side 63, is free and has a narrow extension or finger 66 terminating slightly beyond the juxtaposed edge 6'! of the sleeve portion 62.

The amount of underlying portion is of a length sufiicient merely to retain, under the spring action of the portion 65, normally the said sides in a substantially U-shape position and to engage finger 66 under the edge 6'! as a stop when the side 63 is released upon filling the sack after compression thereof. This compression is effected manually, for example by exerting pressure at the point P which will cause the two part-cylinder walls 63 and 64 to pinch the wall of the sack along substantially diametrically opposite lines and flatten out the same generally as is indicated in Figs. 17 and 20 of the drawings, thereby expelling air from the sack. When released, the writing fluid will be then drawn inwardly in the usual manner and the side 63 will spring back under the action of the loop portion 65 to look under the edge 67. The cap 68 may then be applied over the sack and filling mechanism, whereupon the pen is ready for further use.

I claim:

1. The method of constructing a fountain pen nib for affording adjustable width of line writing, comprising temporarily maintaining a pen point blank of flexible material flexed on a relatively short radius transversely of its longitudinal axis, and while in the flexed state welding to the writing end thereof a small-diameter writing ball; then cutting a narrow slit through the ball and inwardly of the nib portion of the pen for providing the nib divisions and separated ball portions at the point; and releasing the slitted blank to a resulting set curvature.

2. The method of constructing a fountain pen nib as set forth in claim 1, wherein the narrow slit is cut to extend inwardly beyond the widest portion of the nib.

3. The method of constructing a fountain pen nib as set forth in claim 1, wherein the radius of curvature of the blank is increased after providing the slit therein and, While maintained thus, finishing the writing ball portion by grinding and bufiing the same.

4. The method of constructing a fountain pen nib as set forth in claim 1, wherein the nib divisions are pressed inwardly toward each other to set the same for a maximum separation.

5. The method of constructing a fountain pen nib as set forth in claim 4, wherein the nib divisions are set to have their respective inner faces inclined to each other.

THOMAS W. LEPKOWSKI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,078,513 Parker Nov. 11, 1913 1,270,035 Kuehn June 18, 1918 1,446,095 Karaus Feb. 20, 1923 1,606,930 Fischer Nov. 16, 1926 1,909,616 Hecking May 16, 1933 2,196,207 Frost Apr. 9, 1940 2,226,542 Ashmore Dec. 31, 1940 2,267,147 Baker Dec. 23, 1941 2,320,369 Longmaid June 1, 1943 2,336,028 Nichol Dec. '7, 1943 2,346,906 Cheney Apr. 18. 1944 

